The North-South Expressway in the West opens up new development space

Continuing the program of the 2nd phase of the 7th session of the 15th National Assembly, on the morning of June 17, the National Assembly discussed in the hall the investment policy of the North-South Expressway construction investment project, the western section of Gia Nghia (Dak Nong) - Chon Thanh ( Binh Phuoc ).

National Assembly delegate of Dong Thap province Pham Van Hoa speaks . Photo: An Dang/VNA

Solving situations due to overlapping planning The majority of opinions of National Assembly deputies expressed their agreement to submit to the National Assembly the investment policy of the Project to concretize the 10-year Socio-Economic Development Strategy 2021 - 2030 and the Resolutions of the Politburo on the development of the Central Highlands and Southeast regions. The investment in the Project will gradually complete the expressway network according to the plan, opening up new development space for localities and strengthening regional connectivity in general and intra-regional connectivity in particular; creating momentum, spillover, and convenient connection with Long Thanh International Airport and Cai Mep - Thi Vai port, serving the socio-economic development of the Central Highlands and Southeast regions, helping to strengthen the assurance of national defense and security. Giving his opinion at the meeting, delegate Pham Van Hoa (Dong Thap) said that the Chon Thanh - Duc Hoa road section is currently only planned to build a level III plain road, it is necessary to study and consider upgrading this road section with the same scale of 4 lanes as the Gia Nghia - Chon Thanh section, so the delegate proposed to study the investment in this road section so that it is reasonable in terms of planning and investment method. Delegate Nguyen Truong Giang (Dak Nong) proposed a number of contents related to resolving specific situations due to overlapping mineral planning with the project. Firstly, for areas without mineral exploration licenses or mineral exploitation licenses, the project contractor is selected to exploit minerals as common construction materials for the project, without going through an auction of mineral exploitation rights and without having to carry out procedures for granting mineral exploration licenses, mineral licenses and procedures for appraisal and approval of environmental impact assessment report appraisal results, and granting environmental licenses. The construction contractor must submit and register the exploitation plan and environmental protection content, assigning the People's Committees of Binh Phuoc and Dak Nong provinces to be responsible for confirming the exploitation plan and environmental protection content for activities of exploiting minerals and common construction materials. Second, for areas of minerals used for common construction materials that have been granted mineral exploitation licenses with valid exploitation periods, they are allowed to exploit them to serve the project without having to establish a mineral exploitation investment project... During the construction of construction items and projects, if minerals are discovered, the construction contractor shall organize an assessment of the effectiveness of mineral recovery and report to the People's Committees of the provinces according to specific plans... Delegate Nguyen Truong Giang hopes that after the National Assembly approves the investment policy, the Government will soon implement the project, meeting the expectations of the people and voters, serving the socio-economic development of the Central Highlands and Southeast regions. Affirming that this is a strategic project both politically and economically, however, delegate Pham Van Thinh (Bac Giang) expressed concerns about calculating the project's revenue. The delegate mentioned the content of the Government's and the Ministry of Transport 's report on forecasting the demand for trucks passing through this route: "By 2030, the highest section from IC1 to IC3 will have only 7,600 vehicles passing through... In total, there will be less than 20 vehicles per day. If calculated on average for 24 hours, there will be no more than one car passing through each hour on the highway. The second case is that by the capital recovery period in 2045, the highest will be 23,000 vehicles, meaning that only about 60 cars will pass through here every day and night. I think these are figures that we need to consider and evaluate carefully," delegate Pham Van Thinh emphasized. Feasibility of payback period

Minister of Transport Nguyen Van Thang explains and clarifies a number of issues raised by National Assembly deputies. Photo: An Dang/VNA

Explaining and reporting on some of the contents raised by the National Assembly deputies, Minister of Transport Nguyen Van Thang said that in terms of investment feasibility, this is a relatively complete project, planned with 6 lanes, and will construct 4 complete lanes, with the State's capital support being 50%, and after the load is full, 2 more lanes will be expanded on this section. The calculation process shows that this will be a project with a relatively good payback period compared to previous projects, suitable for investors, and highly appreciated by banks. According to Minister Nguyen Van Thang, projects usually encounter difficulties when the capital mobilized from banks to invest in BOT projects is mainly short-term, medium-term and long-term (maximum 5 years). With a project with a payback period of about 18 - 20 years like this project, investors will prioritize revenue to repay bank loans, so it will be very suitable and feasible in attracting investors. Regarding the impact of the Project on parallel BOT projects on National Highway 14, the Minister said that when the entire North-South Eastern Expressway and some cross-sections are completed, not only the two BOT projects will be affected, but also other projects. This impact has been anticipated by the Government. The Government has directed the Ministry of Transport to submit a plan to remove and handle the affected BOT projects, especially due to the process of State investment in BOT projects on the North-South Eastern Expressway and cross-sections, including the North-South Western Expressway construction investment project, Gia Nghia (Dak Nong) - Chon Thanh (Binh Phuoc). The Minister said that after the Gia Nghia - Chon Thanh Expressway Project comes into operation, it is possible to calculate the level of impact on other projects to have specific proposals, possibly extending the toll collection period, or supplementing a part of the state budget to support affected projects.

Hien Hanh (Vietnam News Agency)

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thoi-su/cao-toc-bac-nam-phia-tay-mo-ra-khong-gian-phat-trien-moi-20240617111328831.htm